We love giving recommendations. It’s always the highlight of our days! But in general, when you stop in to ask for a recommendation, chances are, you get a question right back: What have you read lately that you’ve really enjoyed? That gives good insight into how can match you with the perfect book.

But since we know you can’t make it in as often as you like, here are some recommendations based on some of the more popular novels right now.

WHY: Hannah’s bestelling novel of French women who resist the German invasion is a perfect companion if you’ve already read and loved Doerr’s ubiquitous uber-literary Pulitzer winner. Both novels tell the stories behind the story of World War II and both also stand out for their luscious, insightful prose.

WHY: Klay’s National Book Award-winning collection reflects on the absurdity of war in general, and includes several characters who wonder if what they’re doing — killing — is moral. In Ritchell’s riveting, Zero Dark Thirty-esque war novel, special forces soldiers also suffer similar moments of introspection. Ritchell’s novel, that follows these troops as they perform covert missions, has been hailed as an ultra-authentic war novel — which makes sense, as Ritchell himself is a former Army Ranger. But I liked this novel because it does a great job of showing the camaraderie between troops, even as they’re not always totally sold on the end benefit of what they’re doing.

WHY: I actually liked Swanson’s devious thriller MORE than The Girl On The Train — both include the signature terrible characters. Both include the dueling narratives from different characters’ perspectives. And both are great fun. But Swanson’s novel is more surprising, edgy, and inventive. They’re both entertaining, don’t get me wrong. But if you’re looking for “the next Gone Girl” I’d highly recommend this tale of infidelity and murder.

WHY: I’m a sucker for a good rom-com, and while The Rosie Project (a RoscoeBooks customer favorite, btw) was okay, Netzer’s novel about two astronomers who were raised from birth to be soulmates is better. Netzer is a quirky, funny writer, and this (recently out in paperback) terrific novel about what it truly means to be “star-crossed lovers” is a great, inventive entry into the romantic comedy genre.

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About Greg Zimmerman

In life, as in literature, Greg Zimmerman enjoys a nice mix of the high- and the low-brow. He writes (and uses too-frequent parentheticals) about books at his blog, The New Dork Review of Books. Greg's day job is as a trade magazine editor, and he slings books part time at RoscoeBooks.